Compensating Research Participants

The USU IRB reviews payment arrangements for research participants to ensure an equitable selection of subjects by only approving payment methods that are not coercive and do not present undue influence. The description of payment arrangements is also part of the consent process. Therefore, the IRB must review statements regarding payment arrangements in the consent document to prevent any statements that are misleading, inaccurate, or otherwise violate the regulatory requirements of consent.

Payment to research participants for participation in studies is not considered a benefit. Payments for participation are considered "compensation."

The following are guidelines to use when considering compensation:

The amount of compensation should be appropriate for the time and effort put forth by study participants.
Credit for payment should accrue as the study progresses and not be contingent upon the participant completing the entire study. Investigators should provide a plan for pro-rating compensation should a participant withdraw from a study. Pro-rating compensation may not be feasible in all studies that offer compensation, and exceptions may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
While the total compensation should not be contingent upon completion of the entire study, payment of a small portion as an incentive for completion of the study is acceptable, providing that such an incentive is not coercive. The IRB will determine if the amount paid as a bonus for completion (if applicable) is reasonable and not so great as to unduly induce participants to stay in the study when they might otherwise have withdrawn.
Compensation to participants who withdraw from the study may be made at the time they would have completed the study (or completed a phase of the study) had they not withdrawn. For example, in a study lasting only a few days, an IRB may find it permissible to allow a single payment date at the end of the study, even for participants who withdrew before that date.
All information concerning payment, including the total amount, schedule of payment(s), and any plan for pro-rating payments if a participant does not complete the study, should be described in the informed consent document and must be approved by the IRB